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FBI Anti-Piracy Seal & Warning
Because of the substantial losses to the recording industry as the result of piracy, the RIAA worked closely with the FBI to develop a new government seal and warning for placement on copyrighted music products in order to increase anti-piracy awareness. The new seal and warning are similar to the warning consumers were previously accustomed to viewing before a home movie on VHS or DVD. In late 2003, the FBI and the RIAA signed an agreement creating the new seal and warning and outlining the terms of their use. The FBI has expanded the program across different media content by entering into similar agreements with the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the Business Software Alliance (BSA), the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). This voluntary program provides the benefit of a unified approach to fighting piracy and provides the recording industry the opportunity to educate the music community and fans about the harms and risks of music piracy. To view the FBI seal, please visit http://www.fbi.gob/ipr.
In addition to the graphical FBI anti-piracy seal, there are two types of text warnings:
Extended Warning:“The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.”
Abbreviated Warning:
“FBI Anti-Piracy Warning: Unauthorized Copying Is Punishable Under Federal Law.”
Most program participants are currently using the abbreviated warning on their product. Both of these warnings are also available in official Spanish translations for use on U.S. Latin product.
Please be advised that the FBI Seal and FBI Warnings are official marks of the United States government. Unauthorized use is prohibited by federal law. 18 U.S.C. §§ 701, 709, 712, and 3052. Companies must join this program before using these marks.
Program Participants
Under current arrangements with the RIAA, the FBI has authorized members of the RIAA to use the FBI Anti-Piracy Seal and Warning. Non-RIAA members should seek additional information about the program from the FBI at www.fbi.gov/ipr/.
Usage Guidelines
There currently is no standard for use regarding placement and/or size of the seal/warning, and the FBI has allowed for artistic creativity in integrating the seal/warning into artwork. For instance, the seal can be used in a line art version, color version or black and white. Program participants can use the seal with either warning; just the seal; or just the abbreviated warning.
There are a variety of uses for the seal and warning that have been utilized to date. They include placement:
- on the CD/DVD disc,
- on the packaging,
- in conjunction with digital files,
- as an automatic audio-visual message when a CD is inserted into a computer,
- in advertisements, and
- on websites (with RIAA's prior approval).
The graphic files containing the seal and warning will only be sent to program participants after all appropriate agreements have been completed and signed. Usage guidelines for the FBI anti-piracy seal and warning are contained in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) negotiated between the FBI and the RIAA. Those interested in becoming program participants will be asked to review the MOU and to sign a four page agreement with the RIAA (which acknowledges the RIAA’s administration of the program). It is recommended that potential program participants seek legal counsel and advice prior to joining the program.
Frequently Asked Questions on FBI Anti-Piracy Seal & Warning
Whom do I contact to join the program?
If you are interested in joining the program, please contact FBI IPR Program, RIAA, 1025 F Street, NW, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20004, (202) 775-0101.
Who coordinates the program for the recording industry?
The RIAA will be administering the program on behalf of members for the FBI. This enables the FBI to have a primary point of contact to oversee compliance, collect information, and distribute updates on an industry-wide basis. The points of contact for other content industries are: the MPAA for motion pictures, BSA and SIIA for software, and ESA for entertainment software.
Why should record labels place the seal and warning on their products?
The seal and warning are an effective step in informing consumers that unauthorized copying of sound recordings is illegal. The FBI seal and warning place the official approval of the federal government on the recording industry’s anti-piracy message. Increased program participation is an increase in raising public awareness.
How much does it cost to join the program?
There is no fee to join the program. All authorized program participants, however, bear their own costs associated with participation in the program (such as incorporating the seal and/or warnings on their products’ artwork, etc.).
Do I have to be an RIAA member to join the program?
Yes, under current arrangements, the FBI has authorized members of the RIAA to use the FBI Anti-Piracy Seal and Warning. Non-RIAA members should seek additional information about the program from the FBI at www.fbi.gov/ipr/.
Are other organizations participating?
Yes, other participants include the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the Business Software Alliance (BSA), the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA).
Useful Links
RIAA Press Release from February 19, 2004
FBI Press Release from February 19, 2004
Federal Bureau of Investigations
